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That’s why on 23 May 2012 AMREF launched its first global campaign, Stand Up for African Mothers.
AMREF’s Stand Up for African Mothers campaign aims to train 15,000 African midwives by 2015. A skilled AMREF-trained midwife can care for 500 women.
The healthcare that women in the developed world take for granted – skilled midwives, an obstetrician, an operating theatre, sterile and equipped with the right tools and treatment, should complications arise, are all great luxuries in Africa.
As a result, one in 39 women are at risk of dying in childbirth or pregnancy compared to one in every 3,800 in developed countries.
Women in poor and remote communities, far from the nearest health services are most at risk, and young women and girls are in the most danger. In many communities, girls still marry when they are very young and contraceptive advice is poor or non-existent. Many of the worst complications in pregnancy are suffered by teenage mothers – giving birth is a physically traumatic experience for a girl whose body is still developing.
The deadline set by the United Nations for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is just round the corner, yet Africa is very far from meeting many of the health-related targets. MDG 5 which aims to improve maternal health is way off track. Only 2% of current development aid spending is focused on maternal and child health. Yet investing in women and their health strengthens families, communities and countries. Family budgets, local productivity, and national wealth flourish where maternal health is prioritised.
Global Campaign patron, Graca Machel Mandela said “I am thrilled to be part of this very important initiative, which contributes to the U.N. Millennium Development Goal of reducing the maternal mortality in Africa. Of all the goals, this one is the most shamelessly lagging behind. Let’s work together to reverse the situation and make childbirth a matter of joy.”
Get involved
As part of the Stand Up for African Mothers campaign AMREF aims to nominate Ugandan midwife Esther Madudu, as a representative of all African midwives, for the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize. Find out more about Esther in the video at the top of this page, and sponsor her nomination at www.amrefuk.org/petition.
You can also support our Stand Up For African Mothers campaign today, by sponsoring a midwife through a monthly gift, or make a one-off donation of £1,600 which will cover the full cost of training of a new midwife.
Give a baby in Africa a chance at life. Their mother.
